Joined: Jan. 2017
Posts: 9,981
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I'd say it's a no thanks from the Avs. I don't think you'll find any takers for it even if Price waives his NTC, and those first round picks are far too valuable, the Avs are still at best a bubble team and we could easily see them slide back this year. I'm all for trading Varly but I'd rather they (re-signed and) gave Bernier a shot at the starter's job, and traded Varly for a prospect goalie and picks. I'm not suggesting for one moment that Price isn't a good goalie but he's oft injured (same as Varly) and the contract goes on way past his prime so even with retention taking it down to 7 mil it's risky. I'd maybe consider it for one pick but definitely not two. He had a less than stellar year last year (and I know the team in front of him was crap) so that adds to the risk. Will he bounce back? Or is he already on the downward slide? You also have to take into account actual salary as well as cap hit, with it being front loaded. I reckon the Avs would be much more likely to be interested in one of the prospects stacked up behind him in the system that the Habs will eventually have to move or lose, someone like Fucale (no idea how he's been developing though).